Julia Domna
CommonName: Julia Domna
FullName: Julia Domna
Reign: 193-217 AD
Title: Augusta
Died: 217 AD
Relationship: Wife of Septimius Severus
Julia Domna was the daughter of Bassianus, priest of the sun god Elagabal
at the temple of Emesa, modern Homs Syria. The future emperor Septimius
Severus was from Lepcis Magna, in modern Libya Africa. While on duty as
a legate in Gaul, he learned from a horoscope that a girl in Syria named
Julia was destined to be the wife of a king. He took her as his second
wife and gave her two sons: Caracalla in 188 AD, and Geta in 189 AD.
Julia Domna was noted for her beauty and intelligence. She brought
Greek culture and philosophy, as well as Oriental mysticism to her marriage.
She intrigued to obtain influence in Septimius' court but suffered a great
loss when the Praetorian Prefect, Gaius Fulvius Plautianus succeeded in
marrying his daughter Plautilla to her son Caracalla. She exacted revenge
when Septimius Severus' brother, Publius Septimius Geta, accused Plautianus
of treason, and Plautilla was exiled to Lipari Island in 205 AD.
After the death of Septimius Severus at York England in 211 AD, Julia
returned from the English camp with Caracalla and Geta. During the year
of the feud between the two co-emperors, Julia eventually sided with Caracalla.
Geta was stabbed to death in her apartment by Caracalla's men and died
in her arms in 211 AD. Julia now assumed the role of counselor to Caracalla,
attempting to influence him, with limited success.
In 217 AD, Caracalla was assassinated while on campaign against the
Parthians. When Julia Domna heard the news in Antioch, she took her own
life rather than take a subordinate role in the affairs of state.
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JULIA DOMNA. Wife of Septimius Severus, Denarius, Rome,c. 204 AD, 3.41g.
BM-62, C-150. Rx: Pietas sacrificing l. at altar. EF/EF
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Imperial Rome, Julia Domna, the wife of Septimius Severus. 193-211
AD. AE-25. Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior. Her draped bust rt. / The three
graces standing side by side. Pick 603. Fine with a dark brown patina.
Popular type.
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Moesia Inferior, Markianopolis. JULIA DOMNA. AE 17 mm. Draped bust
right. / Zeus seated left, holding patera.
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